Drug and Alcohol Policies

University Alcohol Policy

 

  1. The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is limited to those locations and circumstances authorized by university policy.
  2. Alcohol possession or consumption is prohibited in any residence hall room or suite where all residents assigned to that space are under the age of 21. Students over the age of 21 may possess alcoholic beverages in accordance with established university policy.
  3. No alcoholic beverages may be consumed in public areas of residence halls. This includes, but is not limited to, hallways, study rooms, and lounges.
  4. All offenses of this policy will be adjudicated by a hearing officer within the Office of Housing & Residence Life or the Office of Student Conduct.
  5. A common sanction for an alcohol policy violation will be primarily educational, but (depending on severity and frequency of violations) may include a housing assignment change, probation period, suspension and/or dismissal from housing, or suspension and/or expulsion from the university.
  6. All cases involving severely intoxicated students and/or police or emergency medical responses will normally be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. The hearing officer may mandate an evaluation by the Student Support and Advocacy Center or an equivalent outside agency.
  7. The University will encourage parental involvement in accord with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA).

NOTE:  Starting in the academic year of 2014-2015, George Mason University adopted a medical amnesty program for students seeing medical attention due to intoxication.  The goal of medical amnesty is to foster and protect the health and safety of the George Mason University community. The details of the Medical Amnesty Program are further described at http://studentconduct.gmu.edu/.

Updated 8/21/14

University Drug Policy

1. Use and/or possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia are prohibited at George Mason University. Use and/or possession and distribution of prescription drugs without proper medical documentation is within the scope of this policy. Violation of this community standard will be considered a serious offense. Implementation of this policy will be in accord with established university procedures as contained in the Code of Student Conduct.

2. The University Police will enforce all applicable local, state, and federal laws in accord with established standing orders, procedures and guidelines.

3. There will be a university review of all reports of drug offenses involving George Mason University students. Student Conduct processes will operate independently of the criminal justice system.

4. Any student found responsible for a Code of Conduct policy violation involving drugs may, at the discretion of the hearing officer, be required to undergo an evaluation administered by personnel of the University’s Student Support and Advocacy Center as a sanction, or prior to re-admittance to the University if suspended.

5. The housing status of a residential student found in violation of a campus drug policy will be determined by the hearing officer. Guests and visitors found responsible for violating a campus drug regulation while in a residence hall will likely be issued a trespass order prohibiting their presence in any and all residential buildings of the George Mason University campuses. This trespass order will be in effect for a minimum of one calendar year.

6. A common sanction for a student’s first violation involving possession or use of marijuana is likely to range from a written warning to disciplinary probation period, with the addition of an educational referral (a fee for this service will be imposed). Repeated violations are likely to result in a suspension or dismissal from housing, and/or a University suspension.

7. A common sanction for any student found responsible for a violation involving sale or possession of an illegal substance, including prescription drugs and marijuana, with intent to distribute is expulsion.

8. A common sanction for any student found responsible for use or possession of an illegal drug, including prescription drugs, is likely to be suspension from the University for a minimum of one year, and/or housing suspension or dismissal.  The suspended student may be asked to provide documentation of successful completion of a drug treatment program prior to reinstatement.

Updated Summer 2021